🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Super Typhoon Bavi highlights Morocco's need for climate change vigilance
via Le Matin2 min read
Super Typhoon Bavi, an exceptionally intense weather event, serves as a reminder of accelerating global climate change. While this type of typhoon does not directly threaten Morocco, the underlying mechanisms contributing to its development are already impacting the Kingdom through increasingly extreme weather. Mustapha Benrimal, an environmental expert and president of the Al Manarat Écologiques Association, stated to "Assahra Al Maghribia" that climate change is a present reality requiring accelerated adaptation strategies. He explained that rising ocean and atmospheric temperatures provide more energy to tropical cyclones, increasing their power, development speed, and capacity to cause torrential rains and destructive winds. Benrimal views Super Typhoon Bavi as part of a series of extreme phenomena indicating an increasingly unstable climate system, though he cautions against calling it the "most powerful in history" without sufficient scientific basis. For Morocco, the consequences are primarily indirect. The Kingdom is not in a tropical cyclone formation zone but is experiencing the effects of global warming, including heatwaves, persistent droughts, and an increase in violent storms and flash floods. Benrimal advocates for strengthening early warning systems, improving infrastructure resilience, and integrating climate risks into development policies. He also emphasized protecting natural resources and supporting climate-related scientific research and disaster managem
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Must ReadMorocco's population is projected to reach 43.3 million by 2060, up from 36.8 million in 2024, according to new demographic projections from the High Commission for Planning HCP. The annual population growth rate is expected to decline from 0.7% in 2024 to almost zero by 2060. The HCP's projections, updated using data from the 2024 General Census of Population and Housing, indicate that the most significant demographic shift will be population aging. The number of Moroccans aged 60 and over is expected to more than double, increasing from 5 million in 2024 to nearly 10.9 million in 2060, representing almost a quarter of the total population. This trend will have substantial implications for public policies, including increased dependency ratios and challenges for pension financing, healthcare, and maintaining family and intergenerational solidarity. The HCP emphasizes that this aging trend is a lasting development, regardless of the scenario. The country will also see a decrease in the number of children due to an anticipated decline in fertility. Preschool enrollment is projected to fall by 23.8%, primary school enrollment by 27%, and lower secondary enrollment by 22.9%. The HCP suggests that this reduction in student numbers could present an opportunity to enhance education quality and learning conditions. Furthermore, the population will continue to concentrate in urban areas, with 32.5 million inhabitants in cities by 2060, while the rural population will decrease to 10.8
Ayoub Bouaddi, a key midfielder for Morocco, is a leading candidate for the FIFA Young Player Award at the 2026 World Cup. After initial mixed performances against Scotland and Haiti, Bouaddi became central to Morocco's midfield in matches against the Netherlands and Canada, demonstrating strong ball recovery, effective distribution, and tenacity in duels. The FIFA website highlighted Bouaddi as a top contender alongside Lamine Yamal Spain, Désiré Doué France, and Nico O’Reilly England, noting their remarkable performances throughout the competition. FIFA stated that these young talents have already established themselves among the sport's elite, with Bouaddi, Doué, O'Reilly, and Yamal reinforcing their chances for the award after helping their nations advance to the next round. The award recognizes the best player born on or after January 1, 2005. FIFA described Bouaddi as the "true conductor" of Morocco's midfield, impressing with his on-field maturity and off-field achievements, including winning an eloquence competition at 15, earning his baccalaureate at 16, and currently studying mathematics. This intelligence is reflected in his composed play, complemented by surprising physical power for his age, which was evident in Morocco's 3-0 victory over co-host Canada in the round of 16.
Fadl Chaker, a prominent figure in Arab pop music, has been released from prison after surrendering following twelve years as a fugitive. He had been living in the Ain al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp near Saida. Chaker faces charges in four cases related to his alleged involvement in 2013 clashes in Saida, alongside Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir, against the Lebanese army, which resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers. He was granted release after posting two bail bonds totaling nearly $3,500. During his time as a fugitive, Chaker was sentenced in absentia to prison terms ranging from five to 15 years with hard labor in these cases. Months before his surrender, Chaker released songs that topped charts in the Arab world, and his music videos, filmed in the Ain el-Helweh camp, garnered hundreds of millions of views on YouTube.